Suction electrode

ABSTRACT

An improved suction electrode includes an electrically conductive ring suitable for application to the patient&#39;&#39;s skin. A body having an angular passage therethrough is affixed to the ring by a static sealing means such as an O-ring. A suction bulb is mounted on the body in communication with the passage to provide the suction necessary to affix the electrode to the skin.

United States Patent [191 Ricketts Jan. 8, 1974 SUCTION ELECTRODE [75] Inventor: James R. Ricketts, Milwaukee Wis.

[73] Assignee: Marquette Electronics Inc.,

Milwaukee, Wis.

[22] Filed: Nov. 8, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 196,605

[52] U.S. Cl. l28/2.06 E, 128/D1G. 4 [51] Int. Cl A6lb 5/04 [58] Field of Search 128/206 E, 2.1 E,

128/404, 410, 411, 417, 418, DlG. 4

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1970 Lewes et a1. 128/206 E 2,983,273 5/1961 Howell 128/417 2,580,628 1/1952 Welsh 128/404 3,595,218 7/1971 Kirkpatrick et a1. 128/206 E 3,568,663 3/1971 Phipps 128/206 E Primary ExaminerWilliam E. Kamm Attorney-Andrus, Sceales, Starke & Sawall [5 7] ABSTRACT An improved suction electrode includes an electrically conductive ring suitable for application to the patients skin. A body having an angular passage therethrough is affixed to the ring by a static sealing means such as an O-ring. A suction bulb is mounted on the body in communication with the passage to provide the suction necessary to affix the electrode to the skin.

5 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures 1 SUCTION ELECTRODE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is directed to medical or surgical electrical appliances.

2. Description of the Prior Art Suction electrodes are commonly used in connection with equipment for ascertaining or monitoring physical conditions exhibiting or generating electrical phenomena. Such devices may typically form a means for connecting a patient to an electrocardiograph for sensing and recording the electrical events associated with the functioning of the heart.

As may be readily appreciated, the quality of an electrocardiogram depends, in great measure, on the satisfactoriness of the connection of the electrodes to the body of the patient, a connection which is rendered difficult by the elasticity, porosity, dampness, and other properties of human skin. To overcome these factors and to provide electrically sound connections, electrodes which are held'on the skin by suction have come into common usage. An electrolytic paste is used in conjunction with suction electrodes to improve the suction seal and the electrical connection.

Early types of suction electrodes are typifiedby those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,580,628 to Welsh. Such prior art electrodes often embodied a complex mechanical structure. In some cases small passages existed in the electrodes which became quickly blocked with the electrode paste during use. The electrodes were tall, which rendered them prone to inadvertant disconnection by striking or which rendered-them difficult to position around womens breasts. In later electrodes, such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,880,729 to Kruse, some of the foregoing problems were eliminated but others remained.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION It is, therefore, the object of the present invention to provide an improved suction electrode which avoids the problems heretofore encountered in the connection and use of such devices.

In summary, the suction electrode of the present invention includes an electrically conductive ring suitable for contacting the patients skin. The ring presents a large opening which prevents clogging with electrode paste and facilitates cleaning. A hollow angular body, typically a right angle body, is attached to the ring by means forming a static seal, such as an O-ring. A suction bulb is mounted on the other end of the hollow body. Because of the angular nature of the hollow body, the height of the suction electrode is reduced, reducing the likelihood of inadvertant disconnection, patient discomfort, and skin irritation and increasing the ease and flexibility of use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a partially cut away, side view of the suction electrode of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded, partially cut away, side view showing additional details of the suction electrode of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning now to FIG. 1, there is shown therein suction electrode 10 of the present invention. Suction electrode lfl'comprises, in general, electrically conductive ring 12, angular body 14, andsuction bulb l6.

Electrically conductive .ring 12 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 2. While ring 12 is shown as an annulus having relatively thin wall thickness with respect to the diameter of the 'ring it will be appreciated that other relative size configurations may be employed if desired. Further, the size of ring 12 may vary over a wide range, "the size of the annulus preferably being selected to resist any tipping moment of the suction electrode and to provide an interior opening of a size sufficient to prevent clogging with electrode paste and to facilitate cleaning.

Electrically conductive ring 12 may be formed of any suitable corrosion resistant, electrically conductive material. The copper, zinc, nickel alloy, commonly called German silver, may be used to form ring 12.

A connection means is associated with electrically conductive ring 12 for connecting suction electrode 10 to the electrocardiograph. A suitable connecting wire may be affixed directly to the ring, as by soldering, or socket 18 may be provided on ring 12 to detachably or permanently receive the appropriate connector.

As shown in FIG. 2, elbow shaped body 14 includes passage 20, one end of which opens into ring 12 when suction electrode 10 is assembled and the other end of such opens into suction bulb l6, hereinafter described. The course of passage 20 through body 14 subtends an angle with respect to the axis of ring 12 so that the axis of the other end of passage 20 lies at an angle with respect to the axes of the first end of passage 20 and ring 12. In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the drawing, passage 20 subtends an angle of although it will be appreciated that a lesser angle, or in some instances, a greater angle may be used, if desired. The diameter of passage 20 is preferably selected to permit cleaning with a cotton tipped swab.

Body 14 may be formed of plastic or other suitable materials. Bodh 14 contains a means for affixing electrically conductive ring 12 to the body. For this purpose, an exterior groove 22 is located in the end of body 14 insertable in ring 12. Groove 22 may be coaxial with the opening of passage 20. O-ring 24 is positioned in groove 22 and ring 12 pressed over the O-ring to effect attachment of the ring. The use of O-ring 24 has been found to be highly advantageous in retaining ring 12 on body 14 in that it provides for the retention of ring 12 on body 14 while at the same time permitting rotation of ring 12, if necessary to position socket 18 or for other reasons. The disassembly of suction electrode 10 for cleaning or other purposes is facilitated. O-ring 24 also forms a static seal during the use of suction electrode 10.

Suction bulb 16 may be of standard construction and is mounted over the other end of passage 20 as by projection 26. Because of the bend in passage 20, suction bulb 16 does not add appreciably to the height of suction electrode 10, the increasing the ease and flexiblity of use and reducing the likelihood of inadvertant disconnection of the electrode by accidental blows. The center of gravity of the electrode is lowered and the 3 tendency of the electrode to tip oyeranddisconnect is lessened since suction bulb 16 may rest on the patients skin during use.

While the embodiment of the invention disclosed in the above specification is, at present, considered to be preferred, it will be appreciated that modification and- /or alteration may be made thereto without departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

1. An improved suction electrode comprising:

an electrically conductive ring having a radial thickness which is thin compared to the diameter of the ring, said ring' further having connector means.

electrically coupled thereto;

a rigid body having a first end, a second end and an intermediate elbow shaped portion, said first end having a diameter approximating the interior surface dimension of said ring, said first end being inserted in said ring and having means for resiliently removably affixing said first end to the interior surface of said ring, said intermediate elbow shaped portion having a passage extending from the said first end to said second end subtending an angle in its course through said portion, the diameter of said -passage in said intermediate portion beingrelatively small as compared with the interior surface dimension of said ring and said portion having a substantial wall thickness; and

a suction bulb removably mounted on said second end of said body in communication with said passage for closing said passage.

2. The improved suction electrode of claim 1 wherein said affixing means includes means mounted on said first end of said body and forming a static seal with the interior surface of said ring for detachably retaining said ring on said body.

3. The improved suction electrode of claim 2 wherein said affixing means includes a portion of said first end of said body having an O ring mounted thereon inserted in said ring for forming a static seal with the interior surface of said ring.

4. The improved suction electrode of claim 2 wherein said affixing means includes an exterior annular groove on said first end of said body having an O ring therein cooperable with the interior surface of said ring for forming a static seal therewith.

5. The improved suction electrode of claim 1 wherein said elbow shaped body portion is bent approximately and said passage subtends an angle of approximately 90 in its course through said body portion. 

1. An improved suction electrode comprising: an electrically conductive ring having a radial thickness which is thin compared to the diameter of the ring, said ring further having connector means electrically coupled thereto; a rigid body having a first end, a second end and an intermediate elbow shaped portion, said first end having a diameter approximating the interior surface dimension of said ring, said first end being inserted in said ring and having means for resiliently removably affixing said first end to the interior surface of said ring, said intermediate elbow shaped portion having a passage extending from the said first end to said second end subtending an angle in its course through said portion, the diameter of said passage in said intermediate portion being relatively small as compared with the interior surface dimension of said ring and said portion having a substantial wall thickness; and a suction bulb removably mounted on said second end of said body in communication with said passage for closing said passage.
 2. The improved suction electrode of claim 1 wherein said affixing means includes means mounted on said first end of said body and forming a static seal with the interior surface of said ring for detachably retaining said ring on said body.
 3. The improved suction electrode of claim 2 wherein said affixing means includes a portion of said first end of said body having an O ring mounted thereon inserted in said ring for forming a static seal with the interior surface of said ring.
 4. The improved suction electrode of claim 2 wherein said affixing means includes an exterior annular groove on said first end of said body having an O ring therein cooperable with the interior surface of said ring for forming a static seal therewith.
 5. The improved suction electrode of claim 1 wherein said elbow shaped body portion is bent approximately 90* and said passage subtends an angle of approximately 90* in its course through said body portion. 